Medical Malpractice

Experienced Savannah Medical Negligence Lawyers Dedicated to Ensuring Patients Receive Fair Compensation for What They’ve Been Through

When you entrust your health to a medical professional, you expect competent care that meets established medical standards. Unfortunately, medical errors can and do occur, often resulting in devastating consequences for patients and their families. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to medical negligence, understanding your rights and the legal process is crucial. The Savannah medical malpractice lawyers at Suthers & Harper can help you seek justice and compensation for your injuries.

Georgia Medical Malpractice Laws

Georgia’s medical malpractice laws provide a framework for holding negligent healthcare providers accountable. To bring a successful claim, you must prove that the medical professional failed to meet the standard of care expected in their field, and that this failure directly caused your injuries. Georgia requires that malpractice claims be supported by an affidavit from a qualified medical expert, attesting to the healthcare provider’s negligence.

Additionally, Georgia operates under a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning your compensation may be reduced if you are partially responsible for your injuries. However, if you are more than 50% at fault, you may not recover damages. While this doesn’t come up in many medical malpractice cases, it is something to be aware of, especially if there is the possibility that the defense could claim you unnecessarily delayed treatment. 

Regardless, working with a Savannah medical malpractice lawyer ensures that your case is built on a solid foundation and adheres all requirements.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice encompasses a wide range of errors and negligent actions by healthcare providers. Some of the most common types of medical negligence include:

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

A misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can deprive patients of timely treatment, leading to worsening conditions or unnecessary procedures. For example, failing to diagnose cancer in its early stages can drastically reduce survival rates.

Surgical Errors

Surgical mistakes, such as operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or causing damage to surrounding tissues, can result in lifelong complications.

Medication Errors

Medication mistakes can occur at any point, from prescribing the wrong drug to administering the incorrect dosage. These errors can lead to adverse reactions, overdoses, or worsening health conditions.

Birth Injuries

Birth injuries caused by negligence during labor and delivery, such as failing to perform a timely C-section or improperly using forceps, can lead to conditions like cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy.

Anesthesia Mistakes

Anesthesiologists must carefully monitor patients during surgery. Errors in administering or monitoring anesthesia can result in brain damage, nerve damage, or even death.

Emergency Room Malpractice

The fast-paced environment of an emergency room can lead to errors, such as failing to diagnose a life-threatening condition or discharging a patient prematurely.

Hospital Negligence

Hospitals themselves can be liable for malpractice due to inadequate staffing, improper training, or failing to maintain safe facilities.

Failure to Treat

When a healthcare provider recognizes a condition but fails to provide adequate treatment, the patient may suffer unnecessary harm. Examples include discharging a patient too soon or ignoring test results.

Each of these situations can have devastating impacts on patients and their families. A Savannah medical malpractice lawyer will carefully evaluate your case to determine the full extent of negligence involved.

How to Prove Medical Negligence

Proving medical negligence involves demonstrating four key elements:

1. Duty of Care: The healthcare provider owed you a duty to provide competent medical care.
2. Breach of Duty: The provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care.
3. Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injury or worsened your condition.
4. Damages: You suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result.

These cases often require expert testimony and a thorough review of medical records. With the help of a Savannah medical malpractice lawyer, you can build a strong case to support your claim.

Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Cases

Under Georgia law, you typically have two years from the date of injury to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. However, there is also a statute of repose, which bars claims filed more than five years after the negligent act occurred, regardless of when the injury was discovered.

Certain exceptions may apply, such as in cases involving minors or instances where the provider concealed their negligence. It is critical to consult a Savannah medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing important deadlines.

Speak with an Experienced Savannah Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a healthcare provider’s negligence, you deserve answers and justice. At Suthers & Harper, we have extensive experience handling medical malpractice claims and fighting for the rights of injured patients in Savannah and throughout Georgia.

Medical malpractice cases are complex, but you don’t have to face this challenge alone. To learn more about how a Savannah medical malpractice lawyer can assist with your case, call Suthers & Harper today. We offer compassionate, skilled representation to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Reach out now by calling 800-320-2384 to schedule your free consultation. You can also connect with us through our secure online contact form.